In this Nov. 7, 2009, file photo, Penn State Coach Joe Paterno stands with his players before taking the field for an NCAA college football game against Ohio State in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

(Newser)
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Nike has decided to drop Joe Paterno's name from the company's child care center, in light of the unsettling revelations in the Freeh Report. Until now, Nike had left the legendary coach's name alone, even as it began to seem, as Clare O'Connor at Forbes quips, "so oxymoronic it'd be more at home in an Onion.com satire." But Nike's president released a statement today saying that the Freeh Report, which accuses Paterno of actively conspiring to keep Jerry Sandusky's crimes secret, had changed his mind.

Nike founder Phil Knight also reacted to the news, in part by singing the late coach's praises. "Joe influenced thousands of young men to become better leaders, fathers and husbands," he said. But "according to the investigation, it appears Joe made missteps that led to heartbreaking consequences. I missed that Joe missed it, and I am extremely saddened on this day. My love for Joe and his family remains."